Patents by Inventor Keith W. Bigoness

Keith W. Bigoness has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240092259
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system is disclosed. The system may comprise a light assembly, an imager, and/or a controller. The light assembly may be configured to emit an array of illumination elements onto a scene. The imager may be configured to capture one or more images of the illumination elements projected onto the scene. The controller may be configured to selectively activate the light assembly between a first state and a second state. In the first and second sates, respectively, first and second groups of the illumination elements are selectively activated to emit first and second patterns of illumination elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sebastien C. Jaeger, Yoav Zuta, Keith W. Bigoness
  • Patent number: 11740479
    Abstract: An imager assembly including calibration functionality and a housing. An imager is disposed inside the housing. The imager includes a lens assembly. An electro-optic element is disposed on a wall of the housing and operable between a substantially clear condition and a substantially darkened condition. A light source directs light at the electro-optic element which redirects the light toward the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Hilldore, Tom B. Sherman, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Adam R. Heintzelman, Keith W. Bigoness, Donald L. Bareman, Joshua D. Lintz
  • Patent number: 11479185
    Abstract: An imaging assembly for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The imaging assembly may include an image sensor configured to capture image data and an electro-optic element configured to selectively control a range of wavelengths corresponding to light in a near infrared (NIR) range of light entering the image sensor. The electro-optic element may include a first portion configured to absorb the range of wavelengths entering the image sensor and a second portion configured to absorb the range of wavelengths entering the image sensor in a first state and to transmit the range of wavelengths entering the image sensor in a second state. The second portion may be electrically isolated from the first portion. A controller may be in communication with the image sensor and the electro-optic element. The controller may be operable to switch the second portion between the first state and the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith W. Bigoness, Michael A. Bryson, Joshua D. Lintz
  • Publication number: 20220004011
    Abstract: An imager assembly including calibration functionality and a housing. An imager is disposed inside the housing. The imager includes a lens assembly. An electro-optic element is disposed on a wall of the housing and operable between a substantially clear condition and a substantially darkened condition. A light source directs light at the electro-optic element which redirects the light toward the lens assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Hilldore, Tom B. Sherman, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Adam R. Heintzelman, Keith W. Bigoness, Donald L. Bareman, Joshua D. Lintz
  • Patent number: 11131857
    Abstract: An imager assembly including calibration functionality and a housing. An imager is disposed inside the housing. The imager includes a lens assembly. An electro-optic element is disposed on a wall of the housing and operable between a substantially clear condition and a substantially darkened condition. A light source directs light at the electro-optic element which redirects the light toward the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Hilldore, Tom B. Sherman, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Adam R. Heintzelman, Keith W. Bigoness, Donald L. Bareman, Joshua D. Lintz
  • Publication number: 20200247331
    Abstract: An imaging assembly for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The imaging assembly may include an image sensor configured to capture image data and an electro-optic element configured to selectively control a range of wavelengths corresponding to light in a near infrared (NIR) range of light entering the image sensor. The electro-optic element may include a first portion configured to absorb the range of wavelengths entering the image sensor and a second portion configured to absorb the range of wavelengths entering the image sensor in a first state and to transmit the range of wavelengths entering the image sensor in a second state. The second portion may be electrically isolated from the first portion. A controller may be in communication with the image sensor and the electro-optic element. The controller may be operable to switch the second portion between the first state and the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Keith W. Bigoness, Michael A. Bryson, Joshua D. Lintz
  • Publication number: 20180373048
    Abstract: An imager assembly including calibration functionality and a housing. An imager is disposed inside the housing. The imager includes a lens assembly. An electro-optic element is disposed on a wall of the housing and operable between a substantially clear condition and a substantially darkened condition. A light source directs light at the electro-optic element which redirects the light toward the lens assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Hilldore, Tom B. Sherman, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Adam R. Heintzelman, Keith W. Bigoness, Donald L. Bareman, Joshua D. Lintz